Funeral planned in Delaware for slain officer

September 22, 2011 8:37:04 AM PDT

Associated Press

WILMINGTON, Del. - September 22, 2011 --

A funeral is planned for a New Castle County police officer killed in the line of duty.

The News Journal of Wilmington, Del., reports that funeral services are scheduled for Friday for Sgt. Joseph Szczerba. The 44-year-old was an 18-year veteran of the police force. Szczerba was fatally stabbed while on duty during a struggle in Penn Acres. A Wilmington man, David Salasky, is charged in the slaying and is being held on $1 million bail.

A funeral Mass will be held at 1 p.m. at the Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington.